Book number six in my Goodreads Reading Challenge is Wish Upon A Star by Trisha Ashley.

‘Single mum Cally’s life is all about her little girl Stella. She’s resigned to the fact that the only romance she’s going to get is from the rom-coms she watches and with her busy job and her daughter; she doesn’t have time to even think about love.
But when Stella gets sick, and Cally is forced to move in with her mother in the remote village of Sticklepond, to save money for Stella’s operation, Cally realizes how tough it can be to go it alone. Still, the last thing Cally wants to do is fall in love. All she wants is a Christmas miracle to save Stella. Can laid-back, charming Jago unlock Cally’s frozen heart and show her that the best gifts aren’t always found under the tree?’ (Thanks Amazon!)

So this is my final festive read before we reach November/December, although I do appreciate it is currently April! This is the story of Cally and her daughter Stella, a young girl in desperate need of life saving surgery.  Cally has brought up Stella all alone, after being left whilst pregnant and has therefore dealt with all of her medical issues with only the support of her mother and close friends.

This novel follows Cally as she seeks to raise the money for the life saving surgery in America by selling her London home and moving in with her mother.  What ensues is a whirlwind of fundraising, as the local community embrace both Cally and Stella in a way that Cally could never have imagined. In the midst of the health scares and fundraising, Cally meets Jago, a local baker whom she had met previously in London.  Their friendship blossoms as he supports her through her troubles.

Again, there are very few surprises in this novel.  You have a main character who has to overcome adversity, a budding romance, family and community spirit.  It is a lovely novel, and I particularly liked the references to Winter’s End, Sophy and Seth which featured heavily in Trisha Ashley’s novel, A Winter’s Tale (read this first, but do read it). If you’re looking for a light novel (which at some points can be slightly heart-wrenching), then read this.  Although I wouldn’t blame you if you add it to your TBR list for nearer Christmas 😉.

Rating: 📖 📖 📖